PERRY COUNTY — Residents in Perry, Morgan and Muskingum counties can now apply for federal disaster assistance after President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration Friday for seven Ohio counties hit by severe August weather.
Gov. Mike DeWine's office announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will activate its Individual Assistance program for the seven counties, which also include Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton and Licking. The declaration unlocks grants for temporary housing, home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and legal services, plus low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration.
Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, multiple rounds of heavy rain and severe storms battered Ohio, causing flash flooding and 17 confirmed tornadoes. Preliminary damage assessments found at least 50 homes and businesses destroyed, 806 with major damage and 475 with minor damage statewide. Two deaths and four injuries were blamed on the storms, according to the governor's disaster request.
DeWine had requested federal aid for 23 counties on Sept. 2. The 16 counties not included in Friday's approval — including Adams, Brown, Butler, Highland and Warren — remain under federal review, as does a separate request for statewide hazard-mitigation support.
Residents who sustained losses in the approved counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. Officials say affected residents should start the application process as soon as possible to speed up their claims.
— NewsForce Staff